Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have dealt with the issue raised by Senator Murnane O'Connor regarding councillors' pay.

Senators Butler, Paddy Burke and Reilly raised the very important issue of the role of our local towns, particularly concerning small and medium-sized enterprises and rates. I agree with the speakers, particularly Senator Paddy Burke, that there is a need for the Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Finance - with the banks - to come up with a way of being able to get extra money and credit for those businesses that require that type of investment and flexibility around the issue of capital. The Minister will be here next week for statements on the summer economic statement, and I hope this issue can be part of that debate because it is a very important one.

Senator Hopkins raised the issue of the N5 in Roscommon. This is a very important issue - not least because it relates to public health and safety - and it comes under the remit of Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I would be happy for the Minister to address it.

Senator Gavan raised the issue of poverty and Social Justice Ireland's report. The record shows that our country is moving forward in this regard. The previous Government, which included the Labour Party, increased the minimum wage twice. There are now more people back at work. There is more optimism in respect of our balance of pay and our GDP rate, which is the fastest growing in the European Union-----